Game Dev Tycoon Beginner Guide – From Garage to AAA
A full walkthrough from the garage to the R&D lab, focused on the decisions that drive reviews.
Learn how to build a billion dollar studio and survive the garage phase. This step by step strategy guide shows you how to get a 10 rating consistently, with mid game tips for expanding your office and staff, late game strategy for custom console and MMO development, and tips for the mobile iOS and Android versions.
Tips and Tricks for High Score
1
Pick a strong topic-genre combo before you start development.2
Match the platform and audience to your genre.3
Use slider presets for the three phases.4
Avoid repeating the same combo in consecutive games.5
Research tech upgrades before the market moves on.Phase-by-phase walkthrough
Garage (Years 1-3)
Build fans and stability with reliable, medium games.
Aim for 7+ reviews to build a fanbase early.
Use small/medium games to control costs.
Research audiences as soon as possible.
First Office (Years 3-6)
Scale your team and shift to better engines.
Hire for complementary skills and train new staff immediately.
Invest in custom engines with the right feature set.
Align platform choice with genre popularity.
R&D Lab (Year 6+)
Unlock advanced tech and prepare for AAA games.
Prioritize graphics upgrades and high-value genre features.
Keep one or two staff focused on research.
Only build sequels when the original scored 9+.
Common mistakes that cost reviews
Ignoring sliders and relying only on a good combo.
Choosing platforms that don’t match your target audience.
Repeating the same combo too often.
Skipping research until it’s already too late.
Use the tools to execute the guide
Jump into the recommender and presets to apply the advice above to your next game.